The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-07-28
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital


leading citizens of ST. Louis and other places
in Missouri, headed by Mayor Francis, arrived
in Washington. The object OF tho pilgrimage
WAS TO invite President Cleveland 10 visit that
city ia October, on the occasion Of the EXPOSE
tion. During the forenoon a scouting party
was sent 10 the White House and obtained the
information that the President would receive
the party ut - o'clock, Shortly before that
hour the delegates sailed from Wizards Hotel
and marched I'm procession TO the Executive
Mansion Precisely at noon Mr.. Cleveland
received them in the library, and after intro
ductons and handshakings the formal invita-
lion was presented by Mayor Francis. IL read
as follows:
GROVER CLEVELAND, President ofthe United States,
The people Of ST. Louie pursuant 20 a resolution
unanimously adopted at public meeting held by
them az the Merchants Exchange. IN said city, on
July 1887 and presided over by the Mayor Of the
city. do now respectfully aud earnestly invite the
president of thc nited States and Mrs Cleveland
60 visit ST. Louis the guests of The city for The
week commencing Oct p 1857. and, Ia doing SO,
they beg leave TO urge on Che President their de-
fire TO give him welcome that shall demonstrate
their love ion him ns "A public officer and "A man.
Mr. Francis delivered an address TO the
President, in which he said:
The people of the West revere The high Office OF
The Chief Magistrate of the Nation, and their 10y
atty and patriotism impc them TO honor him who
Ills that exalted position Especially sit 50 when
the man who occupies u performs his duties with
the wisdom, fcarcssuess aud patriotism which
strawberries your administration No organiza-
tion, however strong, aud no occurrence, however
imporiant will hc reuuired 10 add interest 30 the
occasion Of your presence. The people OF Missouri
aud of the West viii congrcgUte IN vast numbers 10
meet and welcome you in the commercial center
Of the Mississippi Valley. We have designated
the first week in October the time for your visit
because thought that time would be most CON
Nenient and agreeable for You; because 1t IL the
season when our fall festivities are at their
hight; when our trades pageant gives ITS
nocturnal display; when the mysterious
walled prophet, surrounded with Oriental slllcn-
dor makes his annual visit; when streets
are brilliantly illuminated by arches Of blazing
lights. and scale of magnihcence never APP
preached; when oar exposition and agricultural
and mechanical fair each the greatest Of its kind
on the continent are IN progress, ana because,
finally ID il n season when the sturdy yeomnnry Of
the land, the bulwark of the Republic and the
greatest contributors to Its wealth. can, with least
detrmenl 10 their agricultural interests, assemble
ln our city 20 do Non honor. u, however an other
time would be better suited 90 your inclination or
engagements, your welcome would be none the
less genuine. The city of 81, Louis, the State OF
Missouri, and the people Of the West say TO the
President OF the United States Honor us with
your presence" and 10 Grover Cleveland, the hon
est. fearless who ably fills that high Office,
Come and he our guest"
In response the President said:
My reply TO your very complimentary and hearty
address will be very brief and practical. At the
time you did me the honor, with so many of your
feow-Czens, 20 invite me 90 your city felt il was
an invitation which should not be declined felt
that you had something there of which you were
doservedly proud. You had city and locality
there Of which it was only right and just that You
sec and appreciate. OF this feeling ] have re-
mnrkable proof il not at all necessary to
convince me of your good faith and sincerity that
20 many of your good people should come here at
this inopporune season 10 bring this invitation,
and vet you don't know how much il has pleased
me TO see you all. lCheers The desire 10 come
20 you has increased each day. don't feel now
that can do otherwise than accept your invitation.
lGreat applause. The arrangement made before
WAS entirely free from any complications and pre-
scented no likelihood OF any You are aware that
agreed 10 visit The city of Atlanta early in October.
,F nlaf,arf
determine upon the day when can visit you this
Atlanta visit must be taken into consideration.
However this isamatter that can be arranged after
ward luclzily we have plenty OF time. shall be
glad 10 meet or correspond with committee OF
your citizens, aud fix the date and make the ar
engagements in detail. But the thing must be done.
Will come.
At this point the President asked Mayor
Francis what would be the most attractive day
OF the fair week. The Mayor replied: The
third day of the MONTH when the vailed
prophet parade will occur; but if you can't be
there then ] might communicate with the
vailed prophet in some way TO postpone his
visit, as you have postponed yours" Laughter
and applause The Mayor also enjoined the
President not to forget TO bring Mrs. Cleveland,
and the President responded "She will not
let me forget her" The members of the Cabi-
net and their families were also included in
the invitation.
The members Of the embassy were in high
Flee over the result Of their trip. On their
way back 10 the hotel they laughed and
shouted and threw up their hats, quite startling
the people on the streets by their tempestuons
demonstrations of delight at the prospect of
having the President after all. On Tuesday
the party went TO Mount Vernon, and in the
evening left for home.
WAR REMINIscENcE
81 am going down to culpeper," said Com
Tade ANtell, of Kansas City, who served in
the lath Brooklyn during the war. he was
sitting In the sanctum of THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE at the time, +" j am going there" he
continued, to see our old camping ground,
and among other things j want 10 inquire If
there is still living there a lady whom il came
IN my way 10 render a great service once.
While we were encamped in the town Of Gull
pepper, we had to make out a quantity Of rolls
and papers. You know how il was making out
papers IN shelter tents j thought il would
help greatly ii we could get room somewhere,
and after little inquiry succeeded in hiring
the use of one IN dwelling house. The owner
of the house was a Signal officer ia Lees
army, and from were lac was stationed he could
look right down into his front yard. His wife
was living ia the house. with four or five
children, the Oldest being boy about IL wears
Old. We had been ia the house bat short
time when we discovered that the family were
IA great need Of food We went back TO the
company, and brought them up quite guam
tity which we could well spare. Among il
Mttt hctNiAl 1ihAttnb o. inOla8ets, winch ulle1
The children's hearts with JOY. ] wish You
could have seen those children an hour after
the mOiasses was brought into the house. Their
faces aud hands were daubed with ID, and thew
were the happiest youngsters you ever saw
night OF two aitorward we suddenly col
orders 10 move. You know how ra.ions viii
accumulate when you are IN camp We had 3
great pile OF stuff that we had 10 destroy OF
leave behind. 4 thought OF the needy family
and went 10 the house. Itwas nearly midnight
and ! had great trouble awakening them After
had pounded away for some time the lady OF the
house peeped cautiously out ofan upper window
and asked who was there. had some trouble IN
making her understand who ] was aud what /
wanted but al last she aroused her boys, and
we spent the time from thence till morning
carrying up 10 the house crackers, meat salt
and 50 GA. She was the most grateful woman
that you ever saw, and could not say enough
10 express her thanks. She said that there
was enough food 10 supply tho family for :
long time. She begged that il j should han
pen 10 be wounded OF fall sick IN that neigh
b0rlOod j would let her know, and she would
give me every attention She would write K
her husband about this wonderful Kindness OF .
Yankee soldier, and beg him, il ever came n
has way, 10 show his gratitude. ] am going q
try 20 hunt hernp j remember the house dis
tinctiy, and II she Is not living there some o
the neighboH Will be able 10 tell me where sh
has gone"